Discl. : Lotr does not belong to me
Warnings: AU, M/M,
Pairings: Aragorn/Legolas, Glorfindel/Erestor
Author's Note: This is actually a really short chapter, sorry for that! Please review!

A Love Once Realized
By Clio Leanan Sidhe

Chapter nine

As months passed and the winter was making it's way through the garden's of Rivendell the seasons weren't the only things that had changed. A lot had changed between Legolas and Aragorn in the passing months, the familiar hatred Aragorn had felt for the blonde elf in the beginning had been replaced by respect and what some would call love. Legolas had also changed in many ways. He found that he could trust his companion and the love he felt for Aragorn had grown even more.

"Legolas?"

The blonde elf looked up and smiled when he saw Aragorn standing on the other side of his desk. "What is it?"

Aragorn smiled and leaned over the desk, placing a kiss on Legolas' pale cheek. "Nothing, I just wished to see you, is that not allowed?"

Legolas laughed softly. "Of course it is."

"I spoke with Elrond today," Aragorn started watching his companion. "I will need to leave soon."

Legolas frowned. "Why?"

"I cannot tell you." Aragorn replied and took Legolas hands in his own, squeezing them softly. "I'm sorry."

Legolas shook his head. "It is all right, not everything you hear is meant to be shared." Legolas told him and got up. "Will you join me for a walk?"

Aragorn nodded and followed Legolas. As they reached the balcony Aragorn pulled his smaller companion in his arms and cupped Legolas' cheek, looking down into his ocean blue eyes. "I care for you so much, why did I not realize that before."

"Because you did not wish to see it." Legolas replied, looking up at his lover.

Aragorn sighed. "I do not understand how I couldn't have seen it, you are so wonderful."

Legolas rolled his eyes. "I recall a time when you thought something completely different." Legolas said to him and smiled softly. "How easily things can change in a small amount of time."

Aragorn softly brushed his lips against Legolas'. When he pulled away smiled down at Legolas. "You need to promise me something..." He whispered, holding Legolas in his arms.

"What?" Legolas asked.

Aragorn sighed. "If a war will come, I want you to stay here in Rivendell, where you are safe."

Legolas frowned. "Why, I am a soldier, I can fight."

Aragorn shook his head. "No, I need to know that you are safe, I need to know that I can come home to you."

Legolas nodded. "I understand and I will promise you," He kissed his lover, smiling against Aragorn's lips. "I will always be waiting for you."

O O O

Arwen looked up when she heard someone clear his throat. She smiled when she saw that it was Legolas. "Legolas, what are you doing here?" She asked, mentioning for him to sit down next to her.

Legolas looked at her and sighed, sitting down next to her. "I am afraid Arwen." He started and looked around. Rivendell was covered by a white blanket of snow and it made him feel somewhat at ease. "Aragorn speaks of a war..."

"I know, father has told me." Arwen replied and placed her own hand on Legolas'. "Do not worry Legolas, Aragorn is strong and father will not let him go easily."

Legolas placed his hand on Arwen's trapping it between his hands. "But Elrond all ready asked for him to go, I do not know why, he cannot tell me."

Arwen bit her lip. "Don't worry to much Legolas, it will only make you restless."

Legolas nodded. "I know Arwen." He placed his head on Arwen's shoulder and felt her hand brush through his blonde hair.

O O O

Aragorn sat alone, thinking of what Elrond has asked from him. He was send to Bree, where he would meet with Gandalf. He remembered the words that Elrond one spoke to him, that he would need to leave all that was precious to him behind. And now he understood that he would find it difficult to leave Legolas behind. He now knew that Elrond had not spoken about Legolas himself but the thought of the blonde elf which would dwell in Aragorn's mind while he would be away. A single thought spend on the one he loved could mean the end of both of them.

"Aragorn, why are you still awake?"

Aragorn looked up and smiled when he saw Legolas standing in the door opening, thin white sheets draped around his body. "I was thinking." Aragorn answered softly, holding out his hand as an invitation for Legolas to join him.

Legolas walked over to his companion and sat down on the ground next to the chair Aragorn was seated in. He placed his hand on Aragorn's leg and looked up at the dark haired man. "What is on your mind?"

"Once again you are."

Legolas rested his head against Aragorn's knee and closed his eyes. "Why?"

"Because you always are." Aragorn said, trying to avoid the real answer.

Legolas shook his head, his cheek brushing against the fabric of Aragorn's pants. "That is not the reason."

"I am just afraid for your safety." Aragorn answered then, truthfully.

"I am for yours." Legolas replied and looked up at Aragorn. "I am the one surrounded by others, you are the one who will need to stand alone, I am safe here in Rivendell while you will be out there."

Aragorn nodded. "I guess..."

Legolas got up and pulled Aragorn up with him. "Come to bed, it is late, you must be tired."

Aragorn nodded in agreement and followed his companion.

"Do you all ready know when you will be leaving?" Legolas asked, laying down in their bed. When Aragorn lay down next to him he covered them both with the white blankets, turning to look at his companion.

Aragorn nodded. "The moment we receive word from Gandalf I will leave."

"Mithrandir knows of this?" Legolas asked.

Aragorn nodded once again. "He informed Elrond a while ago, he knew before it had even begun."

Legolas sighed and lay down close to Aragorn, taking the man's arm and pulling it around himself. "When we finally wish to spend time together, there is no time for it."

Aragorn kissed Legolas' brow. "Then we should enjoy every minute that we have."